Computer Science - B.S.

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science seeks to prepare students for careers as computing professionals, developing, managing and building software in a variety of industries, including finance, health care, entertainment, telecommunications and manufacturing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the following as top occupation choices for computer science majors: computer network architect; software developer; information security analyst; database administrator; computer systems analyst; computer programmer; and network and computer systems administrator.

The Computer Science major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Cybersecurity concentration prepares students to meet the security needs of industry and government through coursework that provides a thorough understanding of security, privacy and cryptographic techniques and protocols used in computing and communication.
• The Data Engineering concentration prepares students to perform the data analysis and modeling needed by organizations and to process structured, semi-structured and unstructured data using statistical and semantic analysis techniques to meet their employers’ needs.
• The Game Programming concentration provides students with a solid understanding of the algorithms, techniques and software used to construct interactive virtual environments. Students work in teams with content specialists and artists to develop the teamwork skills required in this multidisciplinary field, which includes a range of opportunities, from the game industry to education to training design.
• The Robotics and Embedded Systems concentration prepares students to work with devices that combine hardware and software. Such devices include robots and most high tech mechanical devices like cars, planes, farm equipment and construction equipment.

Students may declare the program with no concentration and develop a plan of study to meet their educational and career goals.

Computer Science students may apply early to the M.S. degree in Computer Science and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
2. Design, implement and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program's discipline.
3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program's discipline.
6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

The educational objectives of the program are the following:

1. To have successful careers, constructed with sound ethical judgments and professional skills acquired in the program, while designing computing solutions and systems by applying principles of computing in areas such as software, hardware, network, data and algorithmic design.
2. To enjoy continued professional growth and advancement in the fast-evolving fields of computer science, built on the academic foundation and professional skills acquired in the program.
3. To become a lifelong learner staying abreast of emerging technologies, obtaining new skills and developing proficiencies with new software, networking and computing tools.
4. In addition to building a successful career, to also strive to be an impactful and contributing member of the global innovation ecosystem by applying the knowledge and skills of computer science, coupled with a well-rounded liberal education, and to practice ethical, legal and responsible computing, as acquired by the program, toward building a better and more inclusive world.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned in CS 13001 or in both CS 13011 and CS 13012 for graduation.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

Students may apply a maximum 4 credit hours of CS 33192 and a maximum 6 credit hours of CS 49996, CS 49998 or a combination of the two courses to fulfill computer science upper‐division electives.

Cybersecurity Concentration Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Data Engineering Concentration Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

Students may apply a maximum 4 credit hours of CS 33192 and a maximum 6 credit hours of CS 49996, CS 49998 or a combination of the two courses to fulfill computer science upper‐division electives.

Game Programming Concentration Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

Students may apply a maximum 6 credit hours of CS 49996, CS 49998 or a combination of the two courses to fulfill computer science upper‐division electives.

Robotic and Embedded Systems Concentration Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Graduation Requirements

• A minimum grade may be required in some courses

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.S.

• Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 8 credit hours of foreign language.¹ 
• The following programs are exempt from this requirement: The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology and the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.²
• Minimum Elementary I and II of the same language

¹

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 8 credit hours and two courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.

²

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science exemption exists under another college policy (Three-Plus-One Programs). The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology exemption is due to its extensive collaboration with and contribution from the Information Technology program in the College of Applied and Technical Studies, which does not have a foreign language requirement.

Roadmaps

Computer Science Major (No Concentration)

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Cybersecurity Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Data Engineering Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Game Programming Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Robotics and Embedded Systems Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus (major and all concentrations)
  • Stark Campus (no concentration and Cybersecurity optional concentration)

The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.